Colruyt Group is putting hydrogen trucks on the road

Colruyt Group is trialling trucks that run on hydrogen. As part of a European project, two hydrogen trucks will soon be be enrolled in the Belgian supermarket group’s daily logistics. One truck is already on the road since May.

Transport without emissions?

Can hydrogen be a feasible and scalable option for emission-free heavy transport? Colruyt Group is trying to find out, with co-financing from the European Union, as a participant in the H2Haul program. Since late May, the first hydrogen truck has been driving around for Colruyt; a second vehicle will soon follow.

The test trucks’ combined hydrogen-battery solution currently provides a range of about 450 kilometers, tested in both urban and rural routes. The maximum payload is now 44 tons, but with adjustments to European and national rules around weight and dimensions, the payload could become equivalent to diesel trucks.

“Promising technology”

“We strongly believe in a zero-emission future for the logistics sector. Hydrogen is a promising technology alongside battery-electric transport. Thanks to the H2Haul project, we are moving closer to a sustainable and scalable solution,” said Lieselot Rouquart, co-responsible for Zero Emission Transport at Colruyt Group.

The real-life deployment aims to accelerate the rollout and development in Europe. However, Rouquart also appeals to the authorities: “We invite all governments in Belgium to support green mobility technology by taking stimulating legal measures. We want to build on this together and strengthen each other in this.”